Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-22
Washington Letter.


CHARAcTERIsrIC ENGLIsuMES
| CHANGED to meet, last week party of
English capitalists, one of whom is the Presi-
ident Of a great English loan association.
The party came over in August and was just
returning after having Travelled extensively
through the West and South. Though hav-
ing spent but four months in this country.
each member Of the party was ready and will
ing to advise and suggest as to the best
methods OF governing the United States. In
referring to the different sections of the
country, they spoke of the distressed South"
and the miserable North, and they berated
the latter for not compromising the former
for the loss of their slaves They ha Just
learned through Senator Edmunds that we
had a Constitution, and they thought possibly
that might save us for a while from going to
pieces. But they were Mortified when told
that the Constitution might he amended bv
the people. They had visited the Capitol,
and their English sensibilities had been some
what disturbed by the unwclcome sight. as
they stepped into the rotunda, of the paintings
of the surrender of CORVALLIS and Burgovne
and they were anxious to know how il hap
pened that we whipped the British. They
glihly criticised everything from our postal
service to the bootblack Who polished their
shoes. But was there nothing of which we
could boast which might please "blarsted
Englishmen?" Yes; mark what aroused their
enthusiasm. Mr.. Cleveland received their
loudcst praise, and they were ELUSIVE in
commentator of the message" pronounc-
ing it the abest document ever produced in
this country. Their faces beamed with de-
light as they contemplated the benefits which
the British empire would derive from the
abolition of our tariff system. 1t was truly
touching to see how dsinteres ted these for
eigners were. and how deeply solicitous they
were for the welfare of America. They
dwelt at length, and in pathetic terms, upon
the unjust discrimination which the tariff
laws worked upon the poor farmer" of the
west. That class was being ground into the
dust with heavy taxation in order to support
few manufacturers. And while they rea-
soned thus bethought my self of the millions
of dollars which these same capitalists were
investing in loans to the poor farmers" of
the West at l2 per cent interest when it was
worth but six, and the reputation they had for
relcntlessness in hastily foreclosing mort
cages upon default in payment of any INSTALL
ment of interest.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE kFNNEBEc.
Representatives Mlliken and Dinglev,
visited the War department on Thursday last
10 learn the condition of the measures insti-
tuted during the last Congress to improve the
kennebec River. An examination of the
river was made, but no report of survey has
been filed in the department.
Mr. Millken secured the insertion of
provision in the last River and Harbor bill.
making an appropriation for survey of the
river from Augusta to Bath, inclusive, but as
the bill received the pocket veto of the Pres-
dent. this provision was defeated with the
other provisions of the bill.
1t is now probable that new provision will
have to be made for a survey of the river,
and an official estimate made of the cost of
the contemplated improvement before an APP
preparation can be secured. This will be
urged with all possible dispatch by Messrs.
Millken and Dingley, and there is no doubt
as to the ultimate success of their efforts in
this direction.
1t is a fact, | believe. that more shipping
enters the Kennebec in year than in any
other river east of the Hudson. statement
of this fact when made to those who are not
familiar with the commerce of the state.
creates something of a sensation.
SITES FOR PUBLic BuILprSes.
Mr. MilRken will again introduce and urge
the passage of his bill providing for the pur-
chase by the government of the property on
the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, be-
tween Ninth and Fifteenth streets, n. W,
and extending as far south as the grounds of
the Agricultural department and the Smith
sonan Institution, to be used as sites for
public buildings. The property is said to be
assessed for about 81 900 zoo. but I am in
clined to think it cannot be had for less than
Ave times that sum. But whatever the cost
the government should buy it. The demand
for new buildings TO accommodate the ever-in-
creasing needs of this great, growing nation
is pressing. II has no building sites unless
il robs the citizens of the few breathing
places which are not too plenty for city as
large as this. This ground would furnish an
abundance of room for all our public build
ings for centuries to come. But our legisla-
tors are sometimes penny wise and pound
foolish. As an instance may cite the case
OF the east front of the Treasury building.
In order to fully and systematically COM
pletc that magnificent building it is absolutely
necessary to advance the east front hundred
or more feet on Fifteenth street To ac-
complain this slice of that width would have
TO be purchased from private parties who own
the improved property on the east side Of the |